For City Council Meeting March 11, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Request City Council to authorize the application for FY26 Community Project Funding for Federal Appropriations.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the application for FY26 Community Project Funding for Federal Appropriations
BACKGROUND
The federal discretionary appropriations process allows jurisdictions to submit community project funding requests directly to their congressional representatives. To maximize funding opportunities, the City collaborates with its federal lobbyist, David Turch & Associates, to identify and prioritize projects that align with various appropriation bills.
In December, City Council members met with Jamie Jones of David Turch & Associates to discuss potential projects. Based on this discussion, an initial list of projects was developed. On January 30, 2025, the Economic Development Subcommittee reviewed the list and finalized a set of projects for City Council approval and submission through the federal appropriations process
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
To secure congressional funding, the City, in partnership with David Turch & Associates, identifies and prioritizes projects that align with federal appropriations.
Based on feedback from the Economic Development Subcommittee of City Council priorities, the following projects are recommended for community letters of support and federal funding:
• Generators at water stations (Estimated Cost: $3 million)
• Fire training station (Estimated Cost: $10.7 million)
• Downtown revitalization (Estimated Cost: $20 million)
• Rialto Depot Station Museum Project (Estimated Cost: $3 million)
• Rialto Police Station Technology & Safety Equipment (Estimated Cost: $3.7 million)
• Cactus Basin Recreation Trail (Estimated Cost: $1.75 million)
Staff will work with David Turch & Associates to identify the appropriate federal appropriations bill for competitive funding. The recommended strategy is to identify multiple appropriation bills to fund projects through to enhance the competitive nature of the grant funding requests.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested action does not constitute a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Additionally, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), the proposed moratorium extension is exempt from CEQA review as there is no possibility that the moratorium would have a significant effect on the environment, insofar as it prohibits the establishment or approval indoor storage facilities, including fulfillment centers and storage warehouse uses.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with the following:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the operating budget for submitting these projects for the federal earmark process.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the capital improvement budget for submitting these projects for the federal earmark process. Any federal funds that are received and any general fund match requirements will be brought back to the City Council for review and approval.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax is not required for this action.